La'o Hamutuk Demands Justice 35 Years After Santa Cruz Massacre
Timorese NGO highlights ongoing impunity and missing truth regarding the 1991 cemetery killings.
1Unresolved Historical Trauma
Thirty-five years after the Santa Cruz cemetery massacre, the Timorese NGO La'o Hamutuk reports that truth and justice remain elusive. The organization emphasizes that the fundamental rights to reparation and accountability have not been fulfilled, leaving survivors and victims' families without closure regarding the events that occurred in the capital city.
2Disputed Casualty Figures
The death toll remains a point of significant contention and uncertainty. While Indonesian authorities officially acknowledged only 19 deaths, independent investigations suggest much higher figures. Estimates vary widely, ranging from over 50 victims to as many as 400, highlighting the lack of a definitive, verified record of those killed during the 1991 incident.
3Failed Judicial Processes
The NGO criticizes the legal proceedings conducted in Indonesia back in 1992 as inadequate. These trials failed to provide a thorough investigation or ensure criminal responsibility proportional to the severity of the massacre. Furthermore, the fate and exact whereabouts of many individuals who disappeared during the crackdown remain completely unknown to this day.
4Context of the Massacre
The tragedy occurred on November 12, 1991, following the death of Sebastião Gomes at the hands of Indonesian police on October 28. Young Timorese gathered in the capital to protest, only to be detained and beaten by Indonesian troops. This event stands as one of the most severe human rights violations in Timor-Leste.
5Defining True Reparation
La'o Hamutuk asserts that true reparation for victims extends far beyond mere financial compensation. The organization argues that the primary requirement is the full disclosure of truth. They maintain that international law recognizes these rights as fundamental and that the state of Indonesia holds the primary responsibility for addressing these past violations.
6Governmental Obligations
The NGO calls upon the government of Timor-Leste to provide essential services, including health care, psychosocial support, and legal assistance to affected families. However, they stress that these domestic efforts must not replace or diminish the primary responsibility of the Indonesian state to provide accountability and reparations for the actions of its forces.
7Call for Independent Action
La'o Hamutuk is formally requesting an independent and credible investigation into the massacre. They urge both Timorese and Indonesian authorities to prioritize the identification of victims and ensure that survivors remain at the center of the process. The group insists that justice must be concretized to finally end the cycle of impunity.
8Reconciliation Without Impunity
The organization warns that diplomatic relations between Timor-Leste and Indonesia should not be built upon a foundation of silence. Good relations must not serve to hide the truth, minimize suffering, or avoid responsibilities. Ultimately, the NGO declares that reconciliation cannot be successfully achieved while impunity for such grave historical crimes persists.